Extensible portable conveyer



Am. I 1938. J. R. MADEIRA EXTENSIBLE PORTABLE CONVEYER Filed Feb. 12, 1957 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Aug. 30, 1938. J. R. MADEIRA EXTENSIBLE PORTABLE CONVEYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES EXTENSIBLE PORTABLE CONVEYER John R. Madeira, Chicago, 11]., asslgnor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 12, 1937, Serial No. 125,365

20 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in extensible portable conveyers of the type particularly adapted for use in mines underground.

The use of sectional belt conveyers in mines,

to convey coal from the working face, has heretofore been limited for the reason that the extension of the conveyer into the working place, as the face advances, is slow and laborious due to the fact that the most economical use of these conveyers is in coal seams where the head room is restricted, being 36" in height and less, which has rendered it difilcult to move the sections up to the face and assemble the conveyer. The reasons for this are that the conveyer sections have been of such a bulky and heavy construction that they cannot be transported to the face on the belt, but must be carried or pulled up to the face by hand by men working in a stoopedover position or crawling on their hands and so knees. Another disadvantage in conveyers of this type is that the fine coal falls on the lower run of the belt, which clogs the pulleys. This fine coal cannot readily be cleared since the tail end of the conveyer is usually 300 or more feet from the discharge end and the trip to and from this tail end in low coal consumes considerable time and effort. This disadvantage has been remedied in part by self cleaning pulleys or belt cleaners of various types, but these clearing devices are not satisfactory unless a man is continuously stationed at the tail end of the belt to shovel away the slack which has been cleared from the belt. This is impractical and unduly increases the cost of the conveying operation.

The principal objects of my invention are to overcome these difiiculties by providing a novel and simplified form of sectional conveyer, which may readily be assembled in a rigid and compact form, and which consists in a series of standards of a relatively light compact construction which cover and form a support for the lower run of the belt, and a supporting cover structure which bridges and overlaps these standards and covers the lower run of the belt between these standards and forms a support for rollers which support the upper run of the belt and are detachably secured to the upper side thereof for ease in carrying or transporting on the conveyer belt; and by splitting these covers in the center so that they may readily be handled and drawn up to the working face either by hand or placed on the conveyer belt and advanced to the face on the belt.

Another object of my invention is to so arrange the covers that adjoining sides may overlap and interlock to prevent material from falling between said coversonto the lower run of the belt and to prevent longitudinal displacement of said covers with respect to each other.

Still another object of my invention is to pro- '5 vide a novel supporting connection whereby the ends of the supporting covers may be rockingly supported on the supporting standards in such a manner that the entire conveyer may readily follow a rolling mine bottom. 10

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the accompanying specification proceeds.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sectional-conveyer constructed in accordance with my invention with parts broken away and in section in order to more clearly show certain details thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 drawn to a slightly enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line t3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along line ii of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view showing certain details of a modified form of construction of the cover sections; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing in plan elevation the detail illustrated in Figure 6.

In the drawings the embodiment of my invention illustrated includes an endless conveyer belt it having an upper run supported in a troughlike formation by means of a succession of belt supporting rollers in a usual manner. As herein shown, each set of said rollers includes three spaced angularly disposed rollers H, M. Said rollers are mounted on a roller support l2 in such a manner that the outer rollers are inclined in an upward and outward direction away from 46 the center of the conveyer structure and the third roller is disposed horizontally and intermediate said inclined rollers. As herein shown, two of said roller supports are detachably supported on a structure l3 which is bridged be- 50 tween intermediate supporting standards l4, ll as will hereinafter be more .fully described as this specification proceeds.

Each belt supporting standard I 4, as herein shown, is of an inverted U-shaped formation with the central portion of the sides cut away to form legs l5 and H5 at opposite ends of each of said sides. The legs |5, |5 each have an integrally formed bracket projecting longitudinally inwardly therefrom. Said brackets form a detachable support for the ends of an idler roller l8 extending transversely across said standard and supporting the lower run of the belt H! (see Figure 4) It should herein be noted that said standard is of such a size and construction that it may be placed on the belt for movement to the working face; that the idler roller l8 may be removed to decrease the weight of the standard during transportation to or from the working face; and that when assembled the lower run of the belt l0 extends beneath the upper side of the supporting standard M which forms a cover for the lower run of said belt and prevents loose material from falling thereon.

With reference now in particular to the novel form of construction of the belt supporting structures I3, l3, said structures each comprise a pair of cover sections 2| 2| which overlap and are rockably supported at their ends on the standards l4, M, as will hereinafter be more fully described as this specification proceeds. Said cover sections, as herein shown, are arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of the conveyer (see Figure 1). Each of said cover sections has a depending outer side 22 extending downwardly along an outer edge of. the lower belt, so both of said covers will completely cover the lower run of the belt. A channel 23 extends along and is secured to the underside of each cover section 2| adjacent the adjoining portion thereof, in a suitable manner such as welding, to form a strengthening member for said cover section.

The cover sections 2|, 2| are sealed to prevent dirt from collecting on the upper run of the belt by means of a plurality of interlocking plates 24, 24. Said plates are alternately secured to the upper side of opposite covers in overlapping relationship with respect to the adjoining cover to close the gap between said covers and lock said covers against longitudinal displacement with respect to each other. A slight amount of clearance is provided between the ends of said interlocking plates to permit ease of assembly of the cover sections. It should also be understood that while I have herein shown the overlapping and interlocking means as comprising a number of separate plates secured to the tops of the covers, that the covers may be so formed that their ends will overlap each other if desired, as is shown in the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.

With reference now in particular to the supporting connection between the supporting standards l4, l4 and the cover sections 2|, 2|, said cover sections overlap said standards a substantial distance, and a curved surface of an arcuately formed rocking strip 21 rests on the top surface of the standard l4 and forms a rocking support for said cover on said standard. Said strip is herein shown as being a piece of half-round material, secured on its flat side to the underside of each cover adjacent opposite ends thereof, in a suitable manner such as welding. Connecting plates 28, 28 are secured to the inner side of each depending outer side 22 adjacent the ends thereof. Said plates have a notched formation 29, open toward the bottom thereof, which is adapted to fit over a stud 30 secured to and extending outwardly from an outer leg of the intermediate supporting standard I4 to hold said cover from longitudinal movement with respect to said standard. It should be noted that sufficient clearance is provided between said notch and stud to permit the weight of said trough to be taken directly on the rocking strip 21.

The roller supports |2, |2 are removed from the belt supporting structures when the conveyer is being disassembled to decrease the carrying weight of the covers 2|, 2|. Upon assembly of the conveyer, said roller supports extend across adjoining cover'sections and are detachably secured thereto by means of cap screws 33, 33 and serve to aid in holding the cover sections 2|, 2| from lateral displacement with respect to each other.

Figures 5 and 6 show a modified form of locking means for holding the covers against longitudinal displacement which may be utilized where the overlapping portions of the covers are not arranged to lock the covers against longitudinal movement with respect to each other. As shown in these figures, reinforcing strips 34 and 35 extend transversely of the ends of respective oi. the covers 2|, 2| on the underside thereof. The inner end of. the strip 34, as herein shown, is provided with a groove or notch 36 while the adjoining inner end of the strip 35 is provided with a tongue 31 which engages said groove.

It may thus be seen that a sectional conveyer of a novel and simplified construction has been provided which consists in a plurality of relatively light cover sections 2|, 2| supported in adjoining relation with respect to each other on intermediate supporting standards l4, l4, and that said standards and cover sections completely cover the lower run of-the belt. It may also be seen that said cover sections have rocking connection with the supporting standards to permit the conveyer to conform to a rolling mine bottom and that all of the parts are detachable and of. such proportions that they may readily be transported to the working face.

While I have herein shown and'described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the specific embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, and intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to' each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer.

2. In a sectional conveyer, an endless conveye belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, and intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections spanning said belt supporting standards and arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of said conveyer.

3. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation.with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of said conveyer, and means for locking saidcover sections from longitudinal displacement with respect to each other. I

4. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of said conveyer,- one of said cover sections having a portion overlapping said next adjacent cover section to prevent the spillage of material through said cover sections onto the lower run of the belt.

5. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of said conveyer, and each of said cover sections having an upper portion overlapping the upper portion of said next adjacent cover section to prevent the spillage of material therethrough.

6. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer bel a plurality of belt supporting structures, intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending along the central portion of said conveyer, each of said cover sections having overlapping and interlocking portions to prevent longitudinal displacement of said cover sections with respect to each other.

7. In a sectional conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart standard sections having rollers mounted therein which form a support for the lower run of the belt, and a pair of cover sections bridged across each pair of said standard sections and arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, said cover sections forming a support for belt supporting rollers for the upper run of the belt and said cover sections and standard sections forming a cover for the lower run of the belt.

8. In a sectional conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart standard sections having rollers mounted therein which form a support for the lower run of the belt, and a pair of cover sections overlapping along the central portion of the conveyer and forming a support for belt supporting rollers for the upper run of the belt, said cover sections being locked from longitudinal displacement with respect to each other and having rocking engagement with said standard sections, and said cover sections and standard sections forming a cover for the lower run of the belt.

9. In a sectional conveyer, an endless conlocked from longitudinal displacement with respect to each other and having rocking engagement with said standard sections, and interengaging connections between said standard sections and cover sections to hold said standard sections and cover sections from longitudinal movement with respect to each other, and permit rocking adjustment of said sections with respect to each other.

10. In a sectional conveyer,an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart standard sections having rollers mounted therein which form a support for the lower run of the belt, and a pair of cover sections bridged across each pair of said standard sections and arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, and having interengaging connections with said standards, and rocking strips on the under side of the ends of each or said cover sections adapted to rest on the top surface of said standards and form a rocking support for said cover sections on said standard sections.

,11. In a. portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections spanning said belt supportin standards and arranged in adjoining relation with respect to each other in a longitudinal plane extending centrally of,said conveyer, each pair of said cover sections having a belt roller support mounted thereon and said cover sections overlapping each other at the central portion of the conveyer to prevent the spillage of material onto the lower run ofsaid belt.

12. In a portable and extensible conveyer and in combination with an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of belt supporting structures, spaced apart intermediate supporting standards connecting said belt supporting structures together, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections spanning said belt supporting standards and arranged in adjoining relation with respect toeach'other in a longitudinal plane extending centrally of said conveyer, each pair of said cover sections having a belt roller support mounted thereon and said cover sections having overlapping and interlocking longitudinal edges to prevent the spillage of material onto the lower run of said belt and to prevent longitudinal displacement of said cover sections with respect to each other.

13.. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of supporting standards, a plurality of belt supporting structures rockably mounted on said standards adjacent their ends for adjustable movement in a vertical plane, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, each pair of said covers being of an inverted trough-like formation and together with said standards forming a cover for the lower run of the belt.

14. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of supporting standards, a plurality of belt supporting structures rockably mounted on said standards adjacent their ends for adjustable movement in a vertical plane,'each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged. in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane'extending longitudinally of the conveyer, each pair of said covers having a belt roller support .detachably mounted on the upper side thereof andbeing of an inverted trough-like formation having adjoining portions overlapping to form a cover for the lower run of the belt.

15. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of supporting standards, a plurality of belt supporting structures adjustably mounted on said standards adjacent their ends for adjustable movement in a vertical plane, each of said, belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sec- V tions arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, each pair'of said covers having a belt roller support mounted thereon and being of an inverted trough-like formation having adjoining portions overlapping and in-- terlocking to hold said cover sections from longitudinal movement with respect to each other and cover the lower run of the belt.

16. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of supporting standards, a plurality of belt supporting structures rockably mounted on said standards adjacent their ends for adjustable movement in a vertical plane, each of said belt supporting structures-including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, each of said standards forming a partial cover for the lower run of the belt and each pair of said covers being of an inverted trough-like formation covering the lower run of the belt between said standards.

17. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of supporting standards, a plurality of belt supporting structures adjustably mounted on said standards adjacent their ends for adjustable movement in a vertical plane, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, each pair of said covers being of an inverted trough-like formation, each of said standards being overlapped by said covers and being of an inverted trough-like formation and said standards and covers forming a cover and support for the lower run of the belt.

18. In a supportlng'structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart supporting standards adapted to rest on the ground, a plurality of belt supporting structures bridged across said standards, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, and the ends of said covers overlapping said standards and having arcuately formed. bearing members on the undersurface thereof having bearing engagement with the upper sides of said standards and permitting said supporting structure to be adjusted to conform to an uneven bottom.

19. In a supporting structure for an extensible conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart supporting standards adapted to rest on the ground, a plurality of belt supporting structures bridged across said standards, each of said belt supporting structures including a pair of cover sections arranged in abutting relation with respect to each other in a plane extending longitudinally of the conveyer, the ends of said covers overlapping said standards and having arcuately formed bearing members on the undersurface thereof having sliding bearing engagement with the top sides of said standards, the outer sides of said covers having sliding pivotal engagement with studs extending outward-' 1y from the sides of said standards and said covers and standards forming a cover for the lower run of the belt.

20. In a sectional conveyer, an endless conveyer belt, a plurality of spaced apart standard sections having rollers mounted thereon which form a support for the lower run of the belt, a cover section bridged across each pair of said standard sections and having interengaging connection with said standard sections, and a rocking strip extending transversely across the underside of each end of said cover section, each of said rocking strips having an arcuate engaging surface adapted to rest on the top surface of an adjoining standard section and form a rocking support for said cover section on said adjoining standard section.

JOHN R. MADEIRA. 

